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Zambia probes 150 for graft
17/03/2004 21:40 - (SA)
Lusaka - Zambia is probing about 150 former government officials and businessmen linked to the regime of ex-president Frederick Chiluba, himself facing corruption charges, for graft and theft of public funds.
Vice-president Nevers Mumba, in a statement to parliament late on Tuesday, said some of the people already under investigation were businessmen who were used by the former government to siphon money from state coffers.
Mumba said 234 assets in the form of farmhouses and buildings had been earmarked for possible seizure because they were either bought or built with stolen money.
"Four-hundred-and-twenty corporations within and abroad are under investigation in connection with the plunder of resources," Mumba said.
Zambia's former president Chiluba was arrested and charged with more than 100 counts of theft, abuse of office and corruption involving about $45m.
A taskforce, formed by President Levy Mwanawasa to investigate corruption during Chiluba's 10-year tenure which ended in 2001, has so far seized several houses, office blocks and vehicles allegedly bought by former government officials with state funds.
The taskforce anticipates it will recover about $300m of funds allegedly stolen by Chiluba and his former aides once the investigations are over.
Mumba said a special account has been opened with the central bank of Zambia where the funds, which are being retrieved from several personal bank accounts will be deposited.
- AFP
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